Ibiza: on the trail of the Phoenicians

Location

Come and discover an extraordinary place surrounded by the Mediterranean Sea. Ibiza is one of the Balearic Islands and is synonymous with sun, sand and fun, but also with art and culture. This island has been home to numerous civilisations, and displays its unique identity with pride. Discover its most ancient historical legacy, bequeathed by its founding fathers, the Phoenicians - a culture well worth exploring.

Ibiza today is the culmination of a mosaic of cultures, a crossroads of civilisations and peoples, who, over thousands of years, left their mark on this stunning part of the Balearic Islands. Come and discover Ibiza's most ancient history. Way back in the 6th century BC the Phoenicians arrived, gave the island its name (Ibosim), and turned it into a strategic spot.

There are many clues as to the Phoenician past of the so-called "white island". How about Es Culleram Cave in Sant Vicent de sa Cala? It is an ancient sanctuary devoted to Tanit, the goddess of fertility, health, life and death, and symbol of Ibiza. This almost mythical place is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes and will seduce you from the moment you arrive.

It was, however, in the Sa Caleta settlement in Sant Josep where the Phoenicians put down roots for the first time in Ibiza. A series of walls from the ancient dwellings and other archaeological remains dating from the 7th and 8th centuries BC show what life was like in this old trading colony. Come and visit this designated World Heritage Site, embryo of what would later become the city of Eivissa, a unique example of Phoenician urbanism in the Mediterranean. Narrow streets, small, irregular squares and a range of different architectural structures make this settlement a true open-air monument.

Following the tracks of this ancient civilisation, you will also come to the Puig des Molins necropolis. It is the largest, best-conserved Phoenician necropolis in the world, historically priceless. Be sure to have a stroll around this enormous site, also designated World Heritage. This area is home to a unique sense of peace and is surrounded by olive groves. Here you will find some 3,500 hypogea (underground tombs) and you can see inside the burial chambers of the island's first settlers. You can admire the ceramics, terracotta sculptures, ostrich eggs and amulets that were found during the excavation, many of which are on display in the Archaeology Museum in Dalt Vila, the oldest part of Eivissa's historic centre.

This historical tour is just one of the many options awaiting you in Ibiza, an island of white villages and unspoilt countryside, all under the stunning Mediterranean sun. This island has captured the hearts and minds of different civilisations over the ages, and is now a first-rate international tourist destination thanks to its array of leisure and entertainment possibilities.

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